Tuesday, January 25, 2011

It's been a long time

I was told by Blogher that it has been more than a month since my last blog. Which means I need to get back to writing. I have spent a whole month embroidering a pillow. Not good for my eyes. The pillow is Swedish, done in a stitch called tvist. It is so much fun to work on. Difficult to go to bed at a decent time but fun to get up in the morning. You tell yourself that you will just finish this corner, and hours later there is just one more corner to be done. It is fabulous looking, now that it is finished. I will take it to the best upholsterer to have it made into living room, love seat kind of pillow. There is only one problem. I have already begun another one. It is bigger than the first one. With nine stylized tulips in the center.

Today is my ninety first birthday. I was given a new chair that is going to get me up and walking more often. I love it, and I love my four children who gave it to me. I tried out lots of chairs in the furniture store and settled on a beautiful blue covered one, which has all the functions that I will need in the near future. I will try to find a hypnotist who can help me with my deteriorating posture. that will be my gift to myself. And I will walk more this next year. And I will blog everyday before I pick my embroidering needle.

Birthday cards have arrived in bunches, and this morning I opened them. They are so beautiful and have such wonderful messages, I had to dry my damp face before beginning this blog. I feel so rich. Rich in the love that surrounds me. And for that I am truly thankful

22 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Happy birthday dear Svensto! Glad that you are blogging again. Missed you. Wonderfull to know someone who is so full of spirit at a your age. That pillow sounds excititng. Please get someone to take a picture and post it. Gratis! EM in DK

Happy Birthday! You are such a treasure for your family. So full of wonderful stories and lessons that you are willing to pass on to them and share here with the rest of us. You have awakened an old memory for me today. When I was in Japan as a child, one of our sewing class projects was "swedish embroidery". I do not know if the stitches were authentic, but we all could not wait to get through the other projects to start the swedish embroidery piece. It was the most beautiful thing we made. I am going to research this now and start a project. Thank you for this!

I've never commented here before, but couldn't pass up the chance to wish you a very Happy Birthday! I love reading your blog posts--you remind me so much of my Grandma, who passed away in 1995. Here's to many more healthy and happy years!

Happy birthday! It's wonderful to hear from you again. You are such an inspiration to me. I'm glad that you are able to pursue your projects and passions and remain so active. This is a lesson I need to learn; reading your posts reminds me to practice.

Happy Birthday! I read several blogs each day and always check to see if you have anything new to report. You are TRULY an inspiration. Enjoy your many talents as we enjoy hearing about them. Any bus trips coming up?

Happy Birthday wishes from Sunny Sacramento! I'm so happy to read your blog again today and its nice to know that you have been so busy doing something you love. I too would love to see a picture of your stitching. You ARE amazing!

Happy Birthday, dear Svensto! From someone you'll never meet, on the opposite side of the country from you. But I check your blog often, and have been worrying a bit about you. Glad you got such a thoughtful present.

I hope your 92nd year is as amazing as the previous 91 years. Congratulations. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your past, your present and your future with us. I'd love to see a photograph of your beautiful self if you're so inclined.

Fondly from San Francisco,Jen--second generation Swede from Gotland. ;o)

Grattis Svensto. I was born in Stockholm but have lived in Canada for 50 years.It was interesting to read about your Tvist embroidery. I think the embroidery I used to do about 40 years ago was called Tvist, I think it came from southern Sweden, maybe Skane. You sew first a cross stitch on Aida vav, then you sew a stitch in the hole to the right upper corner and come up straight below. Then you go back to the left upper corner hole and straight down to the hole below, then to the right etc. I used wool. We did traditional designs such as Backahasten and even one of Skanska Slott.

Jen, my mom who unfortunately passed away last June at 92, was born in Visby on Gotland but grew up in Stockholm. Her family came from Smaland.Marie-Louise

A Belated Happy Birthday, Ms. Svensto! It was a thrill to open your blog this morning and see today's post and this one. Can't wait to see the pillow and maybe a photo of your new chair! You are such a joy and inspiration to all of us who follow your stories. May your 91st-and- counting year (2011) be chock-full of good health, happiness, new adventures and continued love from all your friends and family. We thank you.

Happy Birthday Svensto! Sorry it is a few days belated. I hope it was quite enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing a picture of the pillow when you get it back. Thank you also for the story of your daughter and your mother's wedding dress. All of her hard work did pay off! Cheers, and Happy Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday! I've been out of the blogging world for about a year and I just realized how much I always enjoyed reading your blog. Now I'll have to take time and catch up on a year of your posts!